Electronically-releasable suction cup assembly secured to an appliance

ABSTRACT

An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/693,592, filed Mar. 14, 2022 titled “ELECTRONICALLY-RELEASABLESUCTION CUP ASSEMBLY SECURED TO AN APPLIANCE”, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,581, filed Feb. 26, 2021titled “ELECTRONICALLY-RELEASABLE SUCTION CUP ASSEMBLY SECURED TO ANAPPLIANCE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/012,710, filed Sep. 4, 2020 titled “ELECTRONICALLY-RELEASABLE SUCTIONCUP ASSEMBLY SECURED TO AN APPLIANCE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,954,993,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,782,filed Apr. 13, 2020 titled “ELECTRONICALLY-RELEASABLE SUCTION CUPASSEMBLY SECURED TO AN APPLIANCE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,851,829, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/684,075, filedAug. 23, 2017 titled “ELECTRONICALLY-RELEASABLE SUCTION CUP ASSEMBLYSECURED TO AN APPLIANCE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,724,572, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE 1. Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods used tosecure products on a surface, and more specifically to anelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly designed to releasablysecure an appliance to a surface.

2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

In today's electronic age, people often carry on their person many smallobjects and devices of substantial value, including money, wallets,identification documents, jewelry, and portable electronic devices. Inconsidering the development of a portable safe for securing suchvaluables in college dormitories or other temporary living spaces, oneis faced with several challenges related to the safe. One challenge isthat valuables must be secured so that access is limited to the owner ofthe safe and valuables. Another challenge is that the safe must beportable so that it can be easily moved from one's permanent home toone's temporary living accommodation (e.g., home to college, and backagain). Yet another challenge is that the safe must be physicallysecured so that a person of bad intent cannot easily take the safe andits contents. One more challenge is that the safe must be physicallysecured in such a manner that it will not mar, damage or alter thephysical premise of the temporary living space. Another challenge isthat the safe should be secured to a flat surface, such as a hardwoodfloor, shelf, or surface of furniture, since such surfaces are readilyavailable in most temporary living spaces.

Similarly, individuals often need to temporarily secure valuable itemswhile traveling, working or going out socially. As one example,expensive tools and toolboxes are often stolen from construction sites.As another example, individuals often need to secure purses, briefcases, satchels or other cases containing valuable items while travelingor dining out. In such use cases, the objects can be directly secured toa flat surface, or can be secured with a chain or cable whose two endscan be secured to that flat surface.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to anelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly to releasably secure anobject to a surface. In one embodiment, the suction cup assemblyincludes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has acavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. Thesuction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled tothe suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectivelyeject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suctioncup from the surface.

Embodiments of the suction cup assembly further may include configuringthe suction cup with a center head that is secured to the object and abase that defines the cavity. The base may be configured to bereleasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface.The base of the suction cup may be fabricated from elastic, flexiblematerial, and includes a flat or curved surface. The gas generating cellmay be inserted into an opening defined by the center head of thesuction cup. The gas generating cell may include at least one ejectionport that is in fluid communication with the cavity of the base of thesuction cup. The gas generating cell may be connected to an electroniccircuit to control the ejection of fluid from at least one ejection portof the gas generating cell. The electronic circuit may include aresistor and a switch, the switch being configured to take the resistorin and out of contact with positive and negative ends of the gasgenerating cell. The gas generating cell may be inserted into theopening of the center head of the suction cup to enable electricalcontact on both sides of the gas generating cell to the resistor placedin parallel to the gas generating cell. The resistor may be configuredwith a resistance value to cause the gas generating cell to ejectsufficient hydrogen from the at least one ejection port to alleviate orotherwise relieve a vacuum in the cavity of the suction cup to releasethe base of the suction cup from the surface. The switch may controlwhen the circuit is closed and the gas generating cell is on to ejectfluid from the at least one ejection port.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of releasablysecuring an object to a surface. In one embodiment, the method includes:securing a suction cup of an electronically-releasable suction cupassembly to the object, the suction cup having a cavity and beingconfigured to be releasably secured to the surface; and selectivelyejecting gas from a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup, thegas generating cell being configured to selectively eject fluid into thecavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Embodiments of the method further may include configuring the suctioncup with a center head that is secured to the object and a base thatdefines the cavity. The base may be configured to be releasably securedto the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface. The base of thesuction cup may be fabricated from elastic, flexible material, andincludes a flat or curved surface. The method further may includeinserting the gas generating cell into an opening defined by the centerhead of the suction cup. The gas generating cell may include at leastone ejection port that is in fluid communication with the cavity of thebase of the suction cup. The method further may include connecting thegas generating cell to an electronic circuit to control the ejection offluid from the at least one ejection port. The electronic circuit mayinclude a resistor and a switch, the switch being configured to take theresistor in and out of contact with positive and negative ends of thegas generating cell. The gas generating cell may be inserted into theopening of the center head of the suction cup to enable electricalcontact on both sides of the gas generating cell to the resistor placedin parallel to the gas generating cell. The resistor may be configuredwith a resistance value to cause the gas generating cell to ejectsufficient hydrogen from the at least one ejection port to alleviate orotherwise relieve a vacuum in the cavity of the suction cup to releasethe base of the suction cup from the surface. The switch may controlwhen the circuit is closed and the gas generating cell is on to ejectfluid from the at least one ejection port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to bedrawn to scale. Where technical features in the figures, detaileddescription or any claim are followed by references signs, the referencesigns have been included for the sole purpose of increasing theintelligibility of the figures, detailed description, and claims.Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence are intendedto have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In thefigures, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure.The figures are provided for the purposes of illustration andexplanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofembodiments of the disclosure. In the figures:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an electronically-releasablesuction cup assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure that issecured to an appliance, such as a portable safe (FIG. 1A) or portablelaptop computer (FIG. 1B);

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of theelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly attached to the base ofthe appliance shown in FIG. 1A, with the appliance shown in FIG. 2A inan unsecured state and the appliance shown in FIG. 2B in a securedstate;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the electronically-releasable suctioncup assembly removed from the appliance;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the electronically-releasable suctioncup assembly with a gas generating cell removed from a suction cup;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the gas generating cell insertedinto a cavity in a center head of the suction cup;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the gas generating cell insertedinto the cavity in an interior center top of the vacuum cavity of thesuction cup;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gas generating cell;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the gas generating cell;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the top and bottom of the gasgenerating cell with electrical contact tabs and insulation around thegas generating cell;

FIG. 7C is a schematic view of the operative components of the gasgenerating cell;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an appliance having a non-skid materialwith a high coefficient of friction to a surface added with a suctioncup assembly to a bottom of the appliance to resist sliding as well aslifting;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the appliance having the non-skidmaterial shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is an equation showing the force of friction between a surfaceand the non-skid material;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the gas generating cell coupled with anelectronic circuit that contains a wireless communication module,inserted into the suction cup assembly to control the operation of thesuction cup assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the gas generating cell and electroniccircuit removed from the suction cup in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 shows a methodology for communications among the suction cupassembly, a room monitoring appliance and an authorized user's mobiledevice;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an assembled suction cup assemblyhaving a battery cell added as a power source for the electronic circuitand wireless communications module;

FIG. 12B is an exploded perspective view of the suction cup assemblyshown in FIG. 12A;

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show an appliance design having the suction cupassembly inserted into a base foot print of the appliance, such that thebottom edge of the appliance lies flush with the surface thereby hidingthe secured suction cup assembly;

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C show a suction cup assembly of another embodimentof the present disclosure having two electronically-releasable suctioncups permanently connected to a secured cable for use as a portableelectronic security device; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a suction cup assembly of another embodiment ofthe present disclosure having two electronically-releasable suctioncups, which are permanently connected by their respective center heads,allowing two objects to be secured to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the systems and methodsdiscussed herein are not limited in application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Themethods and apparatuses are capable of implementation in otherembodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in variousways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein forillustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Inparticular, acts, elements and features discussed in connection with anyone or more embodiments are not intended to be excluded from a similarrole in any other embodiments.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references toembodiments or elements or acts of the systems and methods hereinreferred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including aplurality of these elements, and any references in plural to anyembodiment or element or act herein may also embrace embodimentsincluding only a single element. References in the singular or pluralform are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems ormethods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of“including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” maybe construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” mayindicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.Any references to front and back, left and right, top and bottom, upperand lower, and vertical and horizontal are intended for convenience ofdescription, not to limit the present systems and methods or theircomponents to any one positional or spatial orientation.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to anelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly, which can be used tosecure a variety of objects to flat surfaces, among other uses. Thesuction cup assembly includes a suction cup and a gas generating cellthat is secured to the suction cup. With the base of the suction cupadhered to a flat surface and forming a vacuum, the button-sized gasgenerating cell is inserted into a center head of the suction cup, suchthat an ejection port of the gas generating cell is in fluid (gas orliquid) communication with the evacuated “headspace” of the suction cup.The gas generating cell is connected to an electronic circuit comprisedof a resistor and a switch, such that the switch is able to take theresistor in and out of contact with the positive and negative ends ofthe gas generating cell. Furthermore, the resistor is selected with aresistance value to cause the gas generating cell to eject sufficientgas, such as hydrogen, to alleviate the vacuum in the headspace of thesuction cup, thereby releasing the suction cup from the surface, alongwith any other items that are permanently affixed to or by the suctioncup.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, anelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly is generally indicated at10. As shown, the suction cup assembly is secured to an appliance,generally indicated at 12, such as a portable safe shown in FIG. 1A.Specifically, the appliance 12 includes a bottom wall 14 on which thesuction cup assembly 10 is secured. The arrangement is such that thesuction cup assembly 10 is configured to releasably secure the appliance12 to a flat surface, such as a table or flooring surface. When desired,the suction cup assembly 10 is configured to release the appliance 12from the flat surface, thereby enabling the removal of the appliancefrom the flat surface. Although one suction cup assembly 10 is shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, it should be understood that two or more suction cupassemblies can be provided for larger appliances requiring additionalsecuring force. As shown in FIG. 1B, the suction cup assembly 10 can beprovided on other types of appliances 12, such as a laptop computer.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the suction cup assembly 10 includes asuction cup 16 and a gas generating cell 18 disposed within the suctioncup 16. Specifically, the suction cup 16 includes a center head 20 thatis secured to the bottom wall 14 of the appliance 12 and a base 22 thatis configured to be adhered to a flat surface 24 by forming a vacuumwith the flat surface 24. The button-sized gas generating cell 18 isinserted into an opening 25 (FIG. 3B) of the center head 20 of thesuction cup 16, such that the gas generating cell 18 is in fluidcommunication with the vacuum cavity 28 via a channel 19 as shown inFIG. 4A. In another configuration shown in FIG. 4B, the gas generatingcell 18 is inserted into a similar opening in the top of the vacuumcavity 28. In all configurations, the ejection ports, indicated at 26 inFIG. 5 , are in fluid (gas or liquid) communication with the evacuatedcavity 28 of the base 22 of the suction cup 16.

In one embodiment, the working base 22 of the suction cup 16 is made ofelastic, flexible material, and can include a flat or curved rim 30 thatmatches the flat or curved surface 24 to which it attaches. The suctioncup material can also be made of multiple materials, such as a compositedesigned for desirable features, such as gas permeability for low airleakage, high tensile strength for tamper or cut resistance, and highmelt temperature for heat resistance, to name a few. The base 22 of thesuction cup 16 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown to be flat, but acurved wall can be provided as well. When the center head of the suctioncup 16 is pressed against a flat, non-porous surface 24, a volume of acavity or space 28 (“headspace”) between the base 22 of the suction cup16 and the flat surface 24 is reduced, which causes fluid (e.g., air)between the base 22 of the suction cup and the flat surface 24 to beexpelled past the rim 30 of the base of the circular suction cup 16. Thecavity 28, which develops between the suction cup 16 and the flatsurface 24, has little to no air or water in it because most of thefluid has already been forced out of the inside of the base 22 of thesuction cup 16 by, for example, an individual's physically applied forceor the weight of the appliance 12, which reduces the pressure within thebase of the suction cup 16.

A pressure difference between the atmosphere on the outside of thesuction cup 16 and the low-pressure cavity 28 on the inside of the base22 of the suction cup 16 maintains the base 22 of the suction cup 16adhered to the flat surface 24. The force exerted by this vacuum isconventionally calculated as F_(v)=AP where F_(v) is the vacuum force, Ais the area of the surface covered by the cup (Pi times radius squaredor A=πr², for a circular suction cup 16), and P is the pressure outsidethe cup (for example, atmospheric pressure for an air suction cup 16 atsea level). The electronically releasable suction cup assembly 10 can bedesigned for different use cases by adjusting the various designparameters herein described, such as the radius of suction cup 16, thematerials comprising suction cup 16 or its component parts like thecenter head 20, base 22 or rim 30, to name a few. Also, one or moreelectronically releasable suction cup assemblies 10 can be integratedinto customized fastening systems for different use cases.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the suction cup assembly 10and a non-skid material 39 are attached to the bottom 14 of an appliance12. The non-skid material and surface 24 have a high coefficient offriction that resists lateral sliding of an appliance 12 along a surface24. While the suction cup assembly 10 with an evacuated vacuum chamber28 provides a resistive force to lifting the appliance 12 from thesurface 24, the non-skid material provides a resistive force of frictionbetween the bottom 14 of an appliance 12 and the surface 24 upon whichthe appliance 12 is placed. The force of friction F_(f) is governed bythe model F_(f)=μF_(n), where μ is the coefficient of friction, anempirical property of the contacting materials comprising the non-skidmaterial 39 and the surface 24, and F_(n), is the normal force exertedby the exterior bottom wall 14 of the appliance 12, directedperpendicular to the surface 14. For a flat, non-sloped surface 24, thenormal force is conventionally expressed as F_(n), =MG where M is themass of the appliance 12 and G is gravitational acceleration which onEarth is 9.8 meters per second-squared. This force F_(n), is applied asa vector that is perpendicular to the surface 14. In embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the normal force F_(n), is augmented by an additiveforce also applied to the surface 14 as a perpendicular vector, thevacuum force F_(v). Thus, the force of friction becomes a function ofboth the force of gravity plus the force of the vacuum applied by thesuction cup assembly 10. Accordingly, the forces applied by the newsystem can be described as the force of frictionF_(f)=μ(F_(n)+F_(v))=μ(MG+AP)=μ(MG+πr² P). Thus, the force of frictionis a design parameter as a function of the coefficient of frictionbetween the non-skid material 39 and the surface 24, the mass of theappliance 12, and the radius of the suction cup assembly 10. Byselecting appropriate suction cup assemblies 10 and non-skid materialsfor a particular appliance 12, the appliance 12 can be secured to asurface 24 in such a way so as to resist lifting and sliding of theappliance 12 from its original position on surface 24.

When physical pressure caused by the weight of the appliance 12 ceasesto apply, the elastic substance of the base 22 of the suction cup 16tends to resume its original shape. In most instances, a length of timefor which the suction effect can be maintained depends mainly on howlong it takes for air or water to leak back into the cavity 28 betweenthe base 22 of the suction cup 16 and the flat surface 24, equalizingthe pressure with the surrounding atmosphere. However, the weight of theappliance 12, e.g., the portable safe, maintains the pressure on thebase 22 of the suction cup 16 thereby ensuring that the suction force ismaintained.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one manner in which the gas generatingcell 18 is secured to the center head 20 of the suction cup 16 is shown.The center head 20 of the suction cup 16 is cylindrical in shape, andincludes the opening 25 that is sized to receive the cylindrical,button-sized gas generating cell 18. The ejection port(s) 26 of the gasgenerating cell 18 is positioned so as to provide fluid communicationinto the vacuum cavity 28 of the suction cup 16. As shown in FIG. 4A, agas generating cell 18 inserted into the open space of the center head20 may also include the channel 19 beneath the ejection ports 26providing a conduit to carry the ejected fluid into the cavity 28 of thebase 22 of the suction cup 16.

FIG. 4B shows another variation, in which the gas generating cell 18 isnot inserted from the top of the center head 20, but rather is insertedfrom the vacuum cavity 28 side of suction cup 16. In this configuration,the opening 25 on the inside of the vacuum cavity 28 contains the gasgenerating cell 18, with direct fluid communication between its ejectionports 26 and the vacuum cavity 28. In this configuration, the gasgenerating cell 18 is contained entirely within the suction cup assembly10. With the gas generating cell 18 open to the vacuum chamber 28, usersmay find it easier to service and replace the gas generating cell 18when it becomes discharged, especially when the center head 20 of thesuction cup 16 is permanently mounted on an appliance 12.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the gas generating cell 18 is connected to anelectronic circuit 32 comprised of a resistor 34 and a switch 36, suchthat the switch is able to take the resistor in and out of contact withpositive and negative ends of the gas generating cell 18. The gasgenerating cell 18 is inserted into the opening 25 of the center head 20to enable electrical contact on both sides of the gas generating cell 18to the resistor 34 placed in parallel to the gas generating cell 18.

Furthermore, the resistor 34 is selected with a resistance value tocause the gas generating cell 18 to eject sufficient gas from theejection ports 26 to alleviate or otherwise relieve the vacuum in thevacuum cavity 28 of the suction cup 16, thereby releasing the base 22 ofthe suction cup from the flat surface 24, along with any other itemsthat are permanently affixed to the top of the suction cup 16. Theresistance value of the resistor 34 is negatively correlated to the airvolume the uncompressed vacuum cavity 28 in the base 22 of the suctioncup 16, as, for example, an inverse function.

The switch 36 controls when the circuit is closed and the gas generatingcell 18 is “on” and generating gas. The amount of time during which theswitch 36 is closed is positively correlated to the air volume of theuncompressed vacuum cavity 28 in the base 22 of the suction cup 16, as,for example, a positive function. In one embodiment, the switch 36 canbe accessed within an interior of the appliance 12. In anotherembodiment, the switch 36 can be triggered on an exterior surface of theappliance 12 through the operation of a security mechanism such as forexample a keypad or biometric device. In yet another embodiment (seeFIG. 11 ), the switch 36 can be triggered by a remote control 42, cellphone, or some other similar device, that is conductively,electronically, or wirelessly connected to the switch 36 while separatefrom the appliance 12.

In another embodiment, the entire assembly of the gas generating cell 18and the electronic circuit 32 can be enclosed within material formingthe suction cup 16, along with other components of the suction cupassembly 10, such as a blue tooth circuit on the electronic circuit tofacilitate wireless communication.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment, the gas generating cell18 is relatively small in size. For example, the gas generating cell 18has a diameter of approximate 11.45 to 11.60 millimeters (mm) and athickness or height of 5.15 to 5.50 mm. It should be understood that adiameter and a height of the center head 20 of the suction cup 16 and adiameter and a height of the gas generating cell 18 that is insertedinto the center head can be varied based on the intended use of thesuction cup assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the gas generating cell 18 may include oneor two electrical contact tabs 38 that allow for an electricalconnection to an electronic circuit 32 including the resistor 34 andswitch 36, such that the electronic circuit 32 is external to orphysically separate from the suction cup assembly 10 comprising thesuction cup 16 and gas generating cell 18. In one embodiment, anelectrical contact tab 38 provides for an insulated connection to thepositive and negative polar sides of the gas generating cell 18, throughthe inclusion of insulation 40 around an edge of the gas generating cell18 whose purpose is to avoid a short circuit of the positive andnegative polar sides of the gas generating cell, equivalent to a closedswitch 36 with zero resistance.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11 , the gas generating cell 18 is integratedwithin the suction cup assembly 10 along with an electronic circuit 32that includes a wireless communication module 43 (FIG. 11 ), such as forexample a blue tooth or other electromagnetic communication circuit. Inone embodiment, the suction cup assembly 10 includes an electroniccircuit 32 that is in wireless communication with a remote controldevice 42, such that an individual can release the vacuum within thevacuum cavity 28 of the suction cup assembly 10 by activating the switch36 on the electronic circuit 32 through a security authenticationmechanism in the remote control device 42. In another such embodiment,an individual can simultaneously release the vacuums within more thanone suction cup assemblies 10 using the security authentication enabledby a single remote control 42.

In yet another embodiment, the state of the suction cup assembly 10 orof its component parts is communicated to the remote control 42. Forexample, the electronic circuit 32 can be programmed to track the numberof activations of the gas generating cell 18. By combining thisinformation with the manufacturer's published specifications regardingthe capacity of the gas generating cell 18, the electronic circuit 32can calculate the predicted life of the gas generating cell 18 within asuction cup assembly 10, and communicate that information to a user'smobile device 42 so that the user knows when to replace or recharge thesuction cup assembly 10 or its component parts. This information may becommunicated to a user's mobile phone using an application or “app” thatgraphically indicates a meter from 100% full to 0% empty representingthe current capacity of the gas generating cell 18. With thisinformation, the app may be programmed to notify the user by way ofelectronic alerts, such as text messages or alarms, when suction cupassemblies 10 monitored by the app, or their component parts, requireservice or maintenance.

In another embodiment, the electronic circuit 32 within the suction cupassembly 10 has coupled to it one or more sensors which measure certaininformation related to the operational state of the suction cup assembly10 or the performance of its security. For example, a pressure sensor orpressure switch electronically coupled to the electronic circuit 32, canbe used to detect the presence or absence of a vacuum in the suctioncup's headspace 28. The status of this sensor can then be communicatedto the user as previously discussed, so that the user can confirm theproper function of the device. Similarly, the electronic circuit 32 withthe suction cup assembly 10 integrated with sensors and wirelesscommunications could be programmed to present the user with an alert, ifand when the suction cup 16 was deactivated, suggesting a possiblecompromise of its main security function.

In certain embodiments, the suction cup assembly 10 is programmed torecognize its authorized users when they are in local proximity to thesuction cup assembly 10. As part of a set-up procedure shown in FIG. 11, the authorized user physically activates a feature in the suction cupassembly 10, which causes the suction cup assembly to enter a mode whichallows the radio frequency module 43 in the electronic circuit 32 to bepaired with the authorized user's remote control 42 (for example, anapp-based device like a mobile phone, pad device, similar app-baseddevice). Once the suction cup assembly 10 and remote control 42 arecommunicatively coupled via wireless communications A, the authorizeduser operates the remote control 42 to instruct the electronic circuit32 to store the unique radio frequency identifier (RFID) of theauthorized user's remote control in its non-volatile memory.

The electronic suction cup assembly 10 is programmed to periodicallybroadcast its unique radio frequency identifier and to scan for otherradio frequency signals. The remote control 42 also periodicallybroadcasts its unique radio frequency identifier and scans for otherradio frequency signals. When the authorized user carries the remotecontrol 42 in local proximity to the suction cup assembly 10, theelectronic suction cup assembly 10 recognizes the unique RF identifierof the remote control 42 as one it has stored and authorized, andthereby recognizes the close proximity of the user. Similarly, when theauthorized user carries the remote control 42 out of local proximity tothe electronic suction cup assembly 10, the electronic circuit 32acknowledges the absence of the RF identifier of the remote control 42,recognizing the absence of remote control 42 and its authorized user. Inthis manner, the electronic suction cup assembly 10 is able to detectthe absence or presence of the user's remote control 42, and by proxy,the user.

This same set-up and operation procedure can work in reverse, with theauthorized user's remote control 42 remembering the RF identifier of thesuction cup assembly 10. This procedure also works for multiple suctioncup assemblies 10 and multiple remote controls 42, with each device (10or 42) storing the unique RF identifier of those with which it has beenpaired.

The electronic suction cup assembly 10 can execute different softwareprograms or defined protocols using this proximity-based information.For example as shown in FIG. 11 , the suction cup assembly 10 can alsobe paired via wireless communications B with wireless room monitoringdevices 54 that are always present in the local proximity, such as anAmazon Echo or similar device. The room monitoring device 54 can beprogrammed to regularly monitor for the radio frequency identifier of asuction cup assembly 10 in its local proximity. If the suction cupassembly 10 is removed from the local proximity of the room monitoringdevice 54, the room monitoring device 54 can run software thatrecognizes the absence of a unique RF identifier of the suction cupassembly 10, and then reports its absence to the authorized user'smobile phone 42 as illustrated as wireless communications C.

The suction cup assembly 10 can also be paired with that authorizeduser's mobile phone 42, such that the suction cup assembly 10 recognizeswhen the authorized user is present in the local proximity or absent andremote as illustrated by wireless communications A. Based on thatinformation, the suction cup assembly 10 can be programmed to allow ordeny attempts to activate the gas generating cell 18 by an unauthorizeduser who doesn't have the properly recognized unique RF identifier ofthe authorized user's mobile phone 42. In this case, the authorized RFidentification pairing can act as a proximity-based electronic key in asingle factor authentication protocol, or can act as an additionalproximity-based factor within a multi-factor authorization or identityauthentication security protocol.

In another embodiment, the electronic circuit 32 of the suction cupassembly 10 also includes a vibration sensor or a motion sensor, such asan accelerometer. If the suction cup assembly 10 while attached to anappliance 12 determines from these sensors that the appliance 12 isbeing moved, lifted or otherwise tampered with, it can be programmed totake one or more predefined actions triggered by the sensed event. Forexample, if the suction cup assembly 10 is currently paired to a roommonitoring device 54, it can inform the room monitoring device 54 of theunauthorized tampering. The room monitoring device 54 can then alert theauthorized user about the tampering via the internet, by sending amessage to the user's mobile device 42 which is not in local proximity.The suction cup assembly 10 can also take other actions, including forexample triggering an audible alert or visible lights that drawattention to the tampering attempt within the local proximity. Bycombining the previously disclosed proximity detection feature with themotion detection feature, the suction cup assembly 10 can operatesoftware that monitors for tampering and takes appropriate action onlywhen the authorized owner is not present, eliminating false tamperingalerts or actions when the authorized user is present.

In one embodiment, the gas generating cell 18 of theelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly 10 includes a hydrogengas generating cell (“HGGC”) which acts as an electrochemicalmicro-pump. An HGGC 18, similar in size and construction to a smallwatch-size battery, is configured to store power chemically within asmall metallic case, with positive and negative polar sides. As shown inFIG. 7C, when the HGGC 18 is activated by applying the resistor 34across its positive and negative poles, the HGGC ejects a finely meteredamount of hydrogen gas from one or two small pin holes, e.g., ejectionports 26, in the center face of the battery. By altering the size of theresistor 34, one can achieve a precise, predictable and consistentvolume of gas whenever the gas generating cell 18 is activated by theswitch 36 of the electronic circuit 32 in series with the resistor 34,and in parallel to two poles of the HGGC 18. In a particular embodiment,the HGGC 18 is a 1/V 150 H2 MF cell manufactured by Varta MicrobatteryGmbH of Ellwangen, Germany.

As an example, one can permanently affix one or more suction cupassemblies 10 to the base or bottom wall 14 of the appliance 12. Anindividual secures the appliance 12 to a flat surface 24 by applyingpressure to the top of the appliance, thereby causing the suction cup 16of each suction cup assembly 10 to evacuate and form individual vacuumsbetween each suction cup 16 and the flat surface 24 beneath. The weightof the appliance 12 also can cause the suction cup 16 of each suctioncup assembly 10 to form a vacuum with the flat surface 24. Each suctioncup assembly 10 has an HGGC 18 embedded in the center head 20 of thesuction cup 16 such that the ejection ports 26 of the HGGC is open tothe suction cup vacuum. When the manual or electronic switch 36 isactivated, each of the hydrogen cells is simultaneously activated,thereby ejecting the prescribed amount of hydrogen into the evacuatedvacuum cavity 28 of each suction cup 16. The appliance 12 can then bepicked up and moved.

In another example, where the appliance 12 is relatively heavy so thatits own weight would cause the suction cups 16 of the suction cupassemblies 10 to secure against the flat surface 24, then the activatingswitch 36 of the electronic circuit 32 can be activated by a remotecontrol device 42 that is integrated into a graspable feature of theappliance 12, such that the user can simultaneously release the suctioncup vacuum pressure and lift the appliance with a single action. In thisexample, the user can simultaneously activate each HGGC 18, therebyreleasing each vacuum, while simultaneously lifting the appliance 12free of the flat surface. The handheld device 42 can also provide secureauthentication of the authorized user and communicate that authorizationto one or more suction cup assemblies 10, thereby releasing theappliance 12 from the surface 24.

In another embodiment, the gas generating cell 18 of theelectronically-releasable suction cup assembly 10 may be replaced withanother type of non-mechanical micro-pump whose actuation mechanismfunctions with electro-chemical, electro-hydrodynamic, electro-osmotic,or ultrasonic flow generation. In yet another embodiment, the gasgenerating cell 18 of the electronically-releasable suction cup assembly10 may be replaced with an electro-mechanical device such as anactuator, pump or valve which releases fluid into the evacuated vacuumcavity 28 of each suction cup 16, or a micro-electro-mechanical systemor MEMS operating as a micro-pump, whose actuation mechanism utilizespiezoelectric, electrostatic, thermo-pneumatic, pneumatic or magneticeffects.

In another embodiment, an electronic authentication mechanism, such asone or more fingerprint scanners, is integrated into one or more handleson the appliance 12, thereby enabling the release of all suction cupassemblies 10 attached to appliance 12 in coordination with asimultaneous physical lifting motion. Similarly, a mechanical switch 36or other physical trigger can be integrated into the appliance 12,enabling activation of the gas generating cell 18 and release of thesuction cup assemblies 10. This physical trigger can also beautomatically enabled or disabled based on one or more other securityauthentication methods, such as the proximity detection featurepreviously described. In this case, for example, the suction cupassembly 10 can be programmed so that the gas generating cells 18 wouldnot activate based on operation of the physical trigger alone, but onlyif the proximity detection feature confirms the presence of anauthorized individual as confirmed by recognizing the unique radiofrequency identifier of a previously paired and authorized mobile phone42.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a chemical batterycell 56 is integrated into the suction cup assembly 10 along with thegas generating cell 18. The purpose of the chemical battery cell 56 isto provide power to the electronic circuit 32. This configuration canalso include more than one chemical battery cell 56 or a power sourceother than a chemical battery cell, depending on the power requirementsof the suction cup assembly 10 and its electronic circuit 32.

As shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C, the base or bottom wall 14 of theappliance 12 can be designed such that the electronic suction cupassemblies 10 securing the appliance 12 to the flat surface 24 are flushwith the bottom edge 44 of the appliance 12, when the suction cupassemblies 10 are securing the appliance 12 to the flat surface. In sucha design, the suction cup assemblies 10 would not be visible oraccessible and essentially tamper resistant, so as to maintain securityof the appliance 12 to the flat surface 24, until the suction cupassemblies 10 are remotely released by a secure electronic signal of theelectronic circuit 32 that simultaneously activates each of the HGGCs 18embedded in the center head 20 of each suction cup 16. As shown in FIG.13C, the appliance 12 includes a rim 44, which engages the flat surface24 and conceals the suction cup assembly 10 in the base of theappliance.

As shown in FIG. 14A, two electronic suction cup assemblies 10 a and 10b can also be permanently fastened together with a cable, chain, orother secure connection 46 affixed to each of their top center heads 20a and 20 b. This linkage of two suction cup assemblies 10 a and 10 b canbe used to secure objects of value to larger or immovable objects, in amanner similar to the way a bicycle chain lock secures a bicycle to abicycle rack or parking meter. As one example, the first suction cupassembly 10 a can be secured to the surface of a large or immovableobject such as a desk surface 14, while the second suction cup 10 b isattached to a valuable object, such as a laptop or cell phone, tetheringthe object to the surface. In another example shown in FIG. 14B, asuction cup assembly 10 a is affixed to the top surface 14 of a large orimmovable object such as a table. Then, suction cup assembly 10 b andthe secure cable 46 are passed through a feature of a valuable object,such as the handle of a briefcase or purse. Finally, suction cupassembly 10 b is affixed to the bottom surface 14 of that same table. Asan option in this same example, the suction cup assembly 10 b is passedthrough the handle of the briefcase or purse, then around the leg of atable, and finally attached to the face of suction cup assembly 10 a,forming a secure loop that attaches both objects together.

In another application shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a suction cupassembly can be comprised of two suction cups 16 that are oriented 180degrees from one another and permanently affixed to one another at theirrespective center heads 20. This double suction cup assembly can beconfigured such that each suction cup 16 has its own gas generating cell18 and electronic circuit 32, as shown in FIG. 15A. In anotherembodiment, the double suction cup assembly can be configured such thatthe suction cups 16 each have their own gas generating cells 18, whilesharing a common electronic circuit 32 and an operable electroniccoupling 58, as shown in FIG. 15B. In yet another embodiment (notillustrated), both suction cups 16 in the double suction cup assemblyshare a single gas generating cell 18 and electronic circuit 32, with acommon channel allowing the gas generated at the output 26 of the gasgenerating cell, to be in fluid communication with the vacuum cavities28 of both suction cups 16. In general, one can envision many possibleconfigurations comprising one or more operational elements of suctioncup assembly 10.

In yet another application, the suction cup 16 in suction cup assembly10 can be inverted so as to form a convex shape through the applicationof an external force. In this convex position, the inverted suction cupfunctionally acts as a non-skid foot or pad on the bottom of anappliance 12. Upon activation, the inverted suction cup reverts to theshape of a suction cup 10 that can then secure an appliance 12 to a flatsurface 24. In one embodiment, the concave suction cup 16 and convexsuction cup (foot or pad mode) of the suction cup assembly 10 areactivated by a mechanical mechanism or lever. In another embodiment, anauthorized user can electronically “lock down” an appliance 12 bytransforming the suction cup assembly 10 from inverted suction cup tosuction cup 16 by electronically activating a mechanical lever. Thiselectronic activation can be triggered locally when the authorized useris in the local proximity of the appliance 12, for example, by pressinga button that activates the mechanical lever. The electronic activationcan also be triggered wirelessly via a remote control 42 that has beenproperly authorized or paired to the suction cup assembly 10.

In another embodiment, the electronic suction cup assembly 10 includesboth a gas generating cell 18 and a micro-vacuum pump, both of which areelectronically in communication with the electronic circuit 32. In onemode of operation, the micro-vacuum pump is activated by electroniccircuit 32 and then pulls fluid from the vacuum cavity 28 of the suctioncup assembly 10, securing suction cup 16 to a flat surface 24 with avacuum. In a second mode of operation, the gas generating cell 18 isactivated by the electronic circuit 32, releasing fluid into the vacuumcavity 28 of the suction cup 16 to alleviate the vacuum.

A method of securing objects or appliances can be applied to any object.The electronic suction cup can be designed into a base of a laptop orcell phone case, allowing a user to easily secure the device to asurface. A releasing mechanism can be integrated into other securitymechanisms of the object, such as finger print authorization. When asecurity mechanism of a phone is activated by its owner, the suction cupassemblies would automatically release, allowing the owner to pick uphis or her object. In other words, the switch 36 in the HGGC circuit 32,which is used to activate an ejection of hydrogen, can be a mechanicalswitch or an electronic switch, controlled manually, electronically orby any software application in any type of computer, app, or networksystem.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate a portablesafe as an exemplary appliance 12, the suction cup assemblies 10described herein can be applied to other appliances as well. Forexample, appliances can include: portable electronic devices, such aslaptops, mobile phones, and pad devices; electronic devices, such ascomputers, appliances, and audio/video equipment; tools and tool boxes;toys and video games; artwork and collectibles; containers such asboxes, brief cases, purses, suitcases, and jewelry boxes;

security bags made, for example, out of Kevlar or other robustmaterials; musical instruments; sports equipment; medical equipment;drug access and control; industrial equipment and material; commercialappliances and equipment; consumer appliances; any object of actual orperceived value; any container intended to hold one or more objects ofactual or perceived value.

Thus, it should be observed that a portable and secure appliance, e.g.,a portable safe, utilizing the electronically-releasable suction cupassembly and a secure electronic release mechanism, as well as theintegration of the electronically-releasable suction cup assembly inportable electronic devices or their cases is shown and describedherein. In essence, the electronically-releasable suction cup assemblycan replace the “rubber feet” on the bottoms of many appliances andcomputers. In addition, a method related to a process of securing andreleasing objects using the electronically-releasable suction cupassembly is further provided. For example, a hotel operator could usethe electronically-releasable suction cup assembly to secure items whichare commonly stolen, such as various appliances.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a suction cup assemblythat is attached to a portable safe that can be used by students indormitories and the like that use a suction cup attachment with andwithout a gas generating cell. For example, a user can open the portablesafe using a phone app operatively coupled to a locking mechanism. Then,once the door is open, the user can mechanically release the suctioncup(s) from inside the safe, by for example, pulling a pin or actuatinga valve that lets air into the vacuum chamber. Thus, access can beelectronically secured through the phone, and once access isaccomplished, the release of the suction cup assembly is generallyphysical or mechanical.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisdisclosure, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications,and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Suchalterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part ofthis disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings areby way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronically-releasable suction cup assemblyto releasably secure an object to a surface, the suction cup assemblycomprising: a suction cup secured to the object, the suction cup havinga cavity and being configured to be releasably secured to the surface;and a micro-pump including an actuation mechanism configured to producea flow of fluid, the micro-pump being coupled to the suction cup andconfigured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cupto release the suction cup from the surface, wherein the micro-pump isin fluid communication with the cavity of the suction cup and containedentirely within the suction cup assembly.
 2. The suction cup assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the suction cup includes a center head that is securedto the object and a base that defines the cavity, the base beingconfigured to be releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuumwith the surface.
 3. The suction cup assembly of claim 2, wherein themicro-pump is positioned within an opening of the center head of thesuction cup.
 4. The suction cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the base ofthe suction cup is fabricated from elastic, flexible material, andincludes a flat or curved surface.
 5. The suction cup assembly of claim1, wherein the micro-pump includes at least one ejection port in fluidcommunication with the cavity of the suction cup.
 6. The suction cupassembly of claim 5, wherein the micro-pump is connected to anelectronic circuit to control the ejection of fluid into the cavity. 7.The suction cup assembly of claim 6, further comprising a batteryintegrated into the suction cup assembly along with the micro-pump. 8.The suction cup assembly of claim 7, wherein the battery is configuredto provide power to the electronic circuit.
 9. A method of releasablysecuring an object to a surface, the method comprising: securing asuction cup of an electronically-releasable suction cup assembly to theobject, the suction cup having a cavity and being configured to bereleasably secured to the surface; and selectively ejecting fluid from amicro-pump coupled to the suction cup, the micro-pump being configuredto selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to releasethe suction cup from the surface, the micro-pump including an actuationmechanism configured to produce flow of fluid, wherein the micro-pump isin fluid communication with the cavity of the suction cup and containedentirely within the suction cup assembly.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the suction cup includes a center head that is secured to theobject and a base that defines the cavity, the base being configured tobe releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with thesurface.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting themicro-pump into an opening defined by the center head of the suctioncup.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the base of the suction cup isfabricated from elastic, flexible material, and includes a flat orcurved surface.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the micro-pumpincludes at least one ejection port that is in fluid communication withthe cavity of the suction cup.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising connecting the micro-pump to an electronic circuit to controlthe ejection of fluid from the at least one ejection port.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising powering the electronic circuitwith a battery integrated into the suction cup assembly along with themicro-pump.
 16. An appliance comprising: a container having an exteriorwall; and an electronically-releasable suction cup assembly toreleasably secure the container to a surface, the suction cup assemblycomprising a suction cup secured to the exterior wall of the container,the suction cup having a cavity and being configured to be releasablysecured to the surface, and a micro-pump coupled to the suction cup, themicro-pump being configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavityof the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface, whereinthe micro-pump is in fluid communication with the cavity of the suctioncup, the micro-pump being contained entirely within the suction cupassembly.
 17. The appliance of claim 16, wherein the suction cupincludes a center head that is secured to the object and a base thatdefines the cavity, the center head having an opening in fluidcommunication with the cavity, the base being configured to bereleasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface.18. The appliance of claim 16, wherein the gas generating cell isconnected to an electronic circuit to control the ejection of fluid fromat least one ejection port of the gas generating cell.
 19. The applianceof claim 18, further comprising a battery integrated into the suctioncup assembly along with the gas generating cell.
 20. The appliance ofclaim 19, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to theelectronic circuit.